Alwar was formerly the capital of the princely state of Alwar. It was formerly spelt as "Ulwar" in British India. This placed it in last position in alphabetically ordered lists, so a king changed the spelling to "Alwar" to bring it to the top. Alwar is also known by the name "MatsyaNagar"

History

Alwar dates back to 1000 A.D. Maharaja Alaghraj, second son of Maharaja Kakil of Amer (old seat of Jaipur state) ruled the area in the eleventh century and his territory extended up to the present city of Alwar. He founded the city of Alpur in 1106 Vikrami samvat (1049 A.D.) after his own name which eventually became Alwar.Previously Alwar area was ruled by Meena Sardars.[3] From time to time, Different sub-clans of Rajputs ruled Alwar. Nikumbh Rajputs, Yaduvanshi Rajputs, Badgujar Rajputs and Last was Naruka (Kachwaha) Rajputs who took the control over this area. Marathas and Jats of Bharatpur also ruled this region for very short period. A brave Rajput Rao Partap Singh took the Alawar Fort from Jat Raja of Bharatpur on an agreement and laid down the foundation for modern Alwar.

Great Hindu King Hemu also born into a Brahmin family in Machari (a village in Alwar) was, a Hindu emperor of North India during the 16th century, a period when the Mughals and Afghans were vying for power in the region. Hemu acceded to the throne of Delhi on 7 October 1556 after defeating Akbar's Mughal forces in the Battle of Delhi in the Tughlakabad area in Delhi, and became the de facto king. He won twenty-two battles in succession and became the last Hindu emperor of India. He is sometimes known as the Napoleon of India. He died on 5 November 1556.

The princely state of Alwar was ruled by Pratap Singh, a Rajput of the Kachwaha lineage, in 1770. He was earlier jagirdar of "dhai Gaon" means two and half villages near macheri. A few years later, His successor Bakhtawar Singh ventured an armed incursion into neighbouring Jaipur, the senior Kachwaha state, and the erstwhile overlord of his predecessor. He was defeated; a fresh engagement was made with him by the East India Company, prohibiting him from political intercourse with other states without British consent. During the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, Raoraja Bane Singh sent a force to relieve the British garrison in Agra. The Muslims deserted and the rest were defeated by the rebels. Pran Sukh Yadav, who fought beside Rao Tula Ram of Rewari in 1857, settled along with the kinsmen of dead soldiers at Village Nihalpura, Behror Tehsil, of Alwar District.

Culture

Ethnicity

The Residents of Alwar are from different communities. Alwar was a part of Matsya region.[4] The principal communities are the Rajputs, (Meena)s,Brahmins, Jats, Ahirs, Meos, Khanzadas and Gujjars. The Naruka Sub-clan of Kachwaha Rajputs ruled Alwar till 1947. In past also, Nikumbh Rajputs and Yaduvanshi Rajputs ruled this region. As per Gazzetter of Ulwar published by Britishers, Alwar used to be divided in four regions as per dominance of castes/tribes.

1) Rath Area(Now Behror and Neemrana) - Ruled by Chauhan Rajputs who were the ancestors of Prithvi Raj Chauhan.

3) Rajawat- Naruka Territory(Narukhand)(Now Rajgarh, Lachmangarh etc.)- This region was dominated by Naruka Rajputs and gave Kings to Alwar State.

4) Mewat Region - This region had maximum population of Mev Muslim caste.

Cuisine

Alwar is famous for its Kalakand (Milk-Cake), a world famous dessert. This is a special desert made of Milk. Its demand from all over the world has given Alwar a special name on the map of world. Some other special shops for different items are as under- Gulabjamun : Bhairu baksha devi sahay Samosa-kachori:Sohal Lal- Vir Chowk Makhan vada : Ramsingh Kripadayal Must try mutka kulfi with rabri at some shops situated at Tripolia

Kite Festival

The people of Alwar celebrate the festival of Rakshabandhan enthusiastically by flying kites. In this sport they compete to cut each other's kite.The Lord Janannath Yatra festival is also famous. There is a famous temple of Lord Hanuman at Pandupolji (inside Sariska Tiger Reserve. Every year a lakkhi mela is organised at Pandupolji. Another famous pilgrimage is - Bhartri hariji. This is dedicated to Raja Bhartri hariji , the distance from Alwar city is around 30 km.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Alwar is famous for variety of Ayurvedic and Unani Medicinal Products.

Geography and climate

Alwar is located at . It has an average elevation of 271 m (889 ft). The Ruparail River is a major river near the city. Alwar is fairly rich in mineral wealth. It produces marble, granite, feldspar, dolomite, quartz, lime stone, soap stone, barites, copper clay, copper ore and pyrophylite.[5]

Alwar is reputed to be the place where, on 10 May 1956, India's record high temperature of 50.6 °C (123.1 °F) was recorded.[6]

Developments after becoming part of NCR

A 180-km rail route between Alwar and Delhi has been approved by the Board. As per the proposal, the route will connect Alwar to Delhi via Gurgaon and Rewari. Over Rs32,000 crore will be spent on this route. The travel time will be faster as the line will be connected to the Metro under regional rail rapid system giving better transport facilities to the locals.[7] Keeping in view the industrial importance of Alwar district, approval in principle was given to the Rs285 crore drinking water projects for the seven towns of Alwar district.[8]

Local attractions and excursions

Museum near Alwar fort with Aravali hill in background

Alwar rail station outside

Alwar Junction

Musi Maharani Ki Chhatri, Alwar

Alwar contains many interesting and historical monuments. The city has a beautiful lake and a picturesque valley. The Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Aravali hills only a few kilometres away from Alwar. The sanctuary, which is a Project Tiger reserve, also boasts of many other species, including rare birds and plants. The military cantonment of Itarana lies on the outskirts of Alwar. Hill Fort Kesroli now a heritage hotel is also near by.[9] Raj Rishi College has existed in Alwar for over a hundred years.

Bhangarh Haunted Fort

Bhangarh Fort is a haunted fort and the Archaeological Survey of India has put up a board on the fort gate that it is prohibited for tourists to stay inside the fort area after sunset and before sunrise. This fort has become a major tourist attraction.[10]

Fairy Queen

Fairy Queen is the oldest working engine in the world and one of national treasure (cultural artifacts) of India. The engine was built in 1855 and acquired by the Eastern Indian Railways from a British firm. Now the train is used for tourism purposes that departs from the Delhi encampment and reaches its destination at Alwar, in Rajasthan.

For trekking lovers there is a trek at Naldeshwar. A Lord shiva temple is situated here on a mountain. One can reach here after trekking around 2-3 k.m. Very enchanting place, must try.

{shri chitra gupta temple ,near delhi gate}.

Agriculture

Alwar has an important place in Agriculture production in Rajasthan. Total geographical area of the district is 7,83,281 hectares which is about 2.5 per cent of the State. In 2010–2011 the net cultivated area is 5,07,171 hecters from which about 83 per cent area viz. – 4,51,546 is irrigated and remaining 17 per cent area viz. – 82,903 is unirrigated. Double cropped area is 2,52,049 hectares of which 32,230 hecter (12%) area is irrigated and remaining 2,19,819 hecter (88%) area is unirrigated. Thus, the total cropped area of the district is 8,12,873 hecters. In Kharif season Bajra, Maize, Jowar, Karif pulses, Arhar, Sesamum, Cotton, Guar etc. are sown in about 3,29,088 hectare (42%) and in Rabi season Wheat, Barley, Gram, Mustard, Taramira, Rabi pulses etc. are sown in about 4,52,527 hectare (58%). The main source of irrigation are wells and Tube Wells. By 26064 Tube Wells about 192861 hectare area is being irrigated and by 57196 Wells about 265169 hectares area is irrigated. By other sources like canals, tanks about 404 hectares area is irrigated. About 35470 electric motors and 66502 Diesel pump sets are being used for Irrigation purposes. The normal rainfall for the district is 657.3 mm. The average rainfall in last ten years in the district is 724 mm. The rainfall distribution in the district is uneven and scattered which resulted some times flood problems and some time draught position which affect the Agriculture production as well as cropping pattern in Kharif & Rabi season. Thus, the Agriculture in the district by and large depends on rainfall distribution. The average rainfall in 2011 up to sep. is 217 mm.

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